Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 6.2.5 update to developers, two weeks after releasing the first beta and a month after releasing the watchOS 6.2 update that added in-app purchases to the Apple Watch App Store.
watchOS 6.2.5 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
There is no word yet on what features might be included in watchOS 6.2.5, if any, and nothing new was discovered in the first beta, suggesting it focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.
Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the tvOS 13.4.5 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode.
tvOS updates are typically minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than major outward-facing changes. There's no word yet on what's included in tvOS 13.4.5, and we saw no new features in the first beta.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
AppleCare+ for the newly released $399 iPhone SE is available for $79, a $50 price drop compared to the $129 AppleCare+ price that Apple charged for the now-discontinued iPhone 8.
The standard AppleCare+ plan extends the one-year warranty and provides coverage for two incidents of accidental damage every 24 months, with the service fee priced at $29 for screen damage and $99 for other damage.
Apple also offers AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for the iPhone SE for $149, with this plan covering damage and also offering a replacement device should the iPhone SE be stolen or lost. A replacement phone requires a service fee of $149 in addition to the AppleCare+ plan price.
There are monthly payment options for each of these AppleCare+ plans, with the standard AppleCare+ priced at $3.99 per month and the Theft and Loss AppleCare+ plan priced at $7.99 per month. Monthly plans renew automatically each month until canceled.
All AppleCare+ plans need to be purchased alongside a new iPhone or within 60 days after purchase with in-store inspection or remote diagnostic. All of Apple's AppleCare+ plans, monthly and standard, are renewable for the life of the device.
AirPods Pro feature an in-ear design with three sizes of soft, flexible silicone tips included in the box, and if you happen to lose those tips, Apple now sells replacements through its online store. The replacement tips will likely also be stocked at Apple Stores, although all locations outside of Greater China remain closed.
Apple offers two sets of small, medium, or large ear tips for $7.99 each in the United States, with pricing varying in other countries.
Replacement ear tips were previously only available through Apple Support, priced at $3.95 for a single set in any size. This remains an option for customers who want to save a few dollars. Follow our step-by-step instructions.
Apple today introduced the long-awaited low-cost iPhone SE, and alongside of the new device, Apple has unveiled silicone and leather cases designed to fit it.
Silicone cases for the new iPhone SE are available in pink sand, white, and black, and are priced at $35, while leather cases for the device are available in (PRODUCT)RED, black, and midnight blue and can be purchased for $45.
According to the compatibility section of the case product listing, the cases are only compatible with the new iPhone SE, but because of the design similarities between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 8, existing iPhone 8 cases will also fit. That should mean that earlier iPhone cases, such as iPhone 7 cases, should also fit the new iPhone SE models.
In fact, Apple confirmed to The Verge that cases designed for the iPhone 8 "will work fine on the SE."
Apple today introduced a Mac Pro Wheels kit designed for the Mac Pro, which adds wheels to the machine after purchase. The kit is priced at $699.
When adding wheels to the Mac Pro when making an initial purchase, Apple charges $400, but the standalone kit to be used after purchase is $300 more because the pre-purchase price includes the price of removing the $300 feet.
Apple says the kit includes a 1/4-inch to 4mm hex bit for installing the wheels, but additional tools are necessary. The purchase price includes a total of four wheels and an installation guide.
Apple also offers a Mac Pro Feet Kit for those who ordered wheels but want to swap back to standard feet. The Feet Kit is priced at $300.
The second-generation iPhone SE is essentially an upgraded iPhone 8, with a 4.7-inch display and Touch ID home button, but with a faster A13 Bionic chip. As of now, there is no Plus-sized version of the new iPhone SE, so there is no direct replacement for the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus, although rumors suggest that an iPhone SE Plus is under development.
Apple introduced the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus alongside the iPhone X in September 2017. Key features included a glass-backed design with wireless charging, improved water resistance, and upgraded cameras.
Apple today announced the second-generation iPhone SE with a 4.7-inch display, A13 Bionic chip, Touch ID home button, up to 256GB of storage, and more.
The new iPhone SE sports a single-lens 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with Portrait mode support. With a glass-backed design like the iPhone 8, the new iPhone SE is also capable of Qi-certified wireless charging.
The new iPhone SE comes in black, white and (PRODUCT)RED and will be available for pre-order beginning at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, April 17. The device will also be available for purchase at select Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers starting Friday, April 24 in the United States and more than 40 other countries and regions.
Pricing starts at $399 in the United States with 64GB of storage, with 128GB and 256GB options available for $449 and $549 respectively. Given this price point, the new iPhone SE has some tradeoffs, including an LCD display instead of OLED, an aluminum frame over stainless steel, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and a single rear camera lens rather than multiple.
Other features of the new iPhone SE include a 7-megapixel front camera, IP67-rated water resistance, Wi-Fi 6, and similar battery life as the iPhone 8. And unlike the original iPhone SE, there is no headphone jack.
Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller:
The first iPhone SE was a hit with many customers who loved its unique combination of small size, high-end performance and affordable price; the new second-generation iPhone SE builds on that great idea and improves on it in every way — including our best-ever single-camera system for great photos and videos — while still being very affordable. iPhone SE features the industry-leading performance of A13 Bionic that enables great battery life, takes stunning Portrait mode and Smart HDR photos, shoots amazing videos with stereo audio, is great for games and super fast web surfing, and is built with the same industry-leading security features our customers expect. We can't wait to get iPhone SE into customers' hands.
The new iPhone SE comes with a 5W power adapter, Lightning to USB cable, and EarPods with a Lightning connector in the box.
Apple today announced that its new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is now available to order on Apple.com and begins arriving to customers next week. Apple previously said the Magic Keyboard would be available in May, so this news comes as a surprise.
This is the accessory that Apple previously revealed last month, alongside the launch of the new 2020 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The Magic Keyboard attaches to the iPad Pro magnetically, providing a "floating" cantilevered design for smooth adjustments of the viewing angle up to 130 degrees.
The keyboard itself is full-sized with backlit keys and a scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm travel. There's also a trackpad, which works with iPadOS 13.4 and its new feature that supports both trackpads and mice.
In terms of charging, the Magic Keyboard supports pass through USB-C charging, and when the Magic Keyboard is closed, the iPad Pro microphones are disconnected, preventing any audio data from being compromised.
Although it's being sold alongside the 2020 iPad Pro, the new Magic Keyboard is compatible with the previous-generation 2018 iPad Pro models as well.
You can order the Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro for $299, and for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $349 on Apple.com. The accessory has layouts for over 30 languages, and it's available to order today.
Apple's widely rumored successor to the iPhone SE will be announced at 8 a.m. Pacific Time aka 11 a.m. Eastern Time today, according to Jon Prosser of the YouTube channel Front Page Tech. This would line up with a tweet from Prosser a few weeks ago that claimed the device would be announced on April 15.
Prosser adds that the device will be called the "iPhone SE" and start at $399 in the United States. The new iPhone SE is expected to be an upgraded version of the iPhone 8, with a 4.7-inch display and a Touch ID home button, but with a faster A13 chip and an increased 3GB of RAM. It is said to come in white, black, or red with up to 256GB of storage.
This would be the same device that has commonly been referred to as the "iPhone 9" in rumors.
Amazon today discounted a few Apple Watch Series 5 models to notable low prices, including a new Amazon low price on the 44mm Space Black Stainless Steel Apple Watch Series 5 (cellular). This model is now on sale for $649.00, down from an original price of $749.00, and comes with a Black Sport Band.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
We've previously tracked this model of the Apple Watch on sale for $699.00, similar to the current sale price of the same model with a White Sport Band. Below you can find this sale among other cellular Apple Watch Series 5 models on sale right now.
Many of the Apple Watch Series 5 models on sale today are facing shipping delays and won't arrive until May. Be sure to head to Amazon to browse the full range of its Apple Watch Series 5 discounts before they expire.
Twelve South today launched a new accessory called the "ColorKit for MacBook," which is a solid color wrap for the top, bottom, and inside of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. When applied, ColorKit changes the shade of the MacBook to Aqua, Coral, Black, Forest Green, or Deep Rose.
ColorKit also includes a cover for the MacBook Pro's keyboard, so that your keys will match the color of the outside of the notebook. The accessory leaves cutouts for the MacBook Pro's speakers, as well as the Thunderbolt 3 ports and headphone jack.
Twelve South said that ColorKit uses a lightweight adhesive that holds the wrap in place, and leaves no residue when removed. This means that if you don't get the application exactly right, you can peel them off and reposition. The accessory is also described as protecting your MacBook Pro from scratches and discoloration.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Google plans to lower the quality of its Nest cameras to preserve internet bandwidth as large numbers of adults and children work and play online amid the continuing stay-at-home measures.
A spokesperson for the company told TechCrunch that it will lower camera quality settings by default this week.
"To answer the global call to prioritize internet bandwidth for learning and working, in the next few days we're going to be making a few changes. We believe these changes have the potential to help make it easier for communities to keep up with school, work, and everything in between."
When the change takes effect, users will see video quality settings revert to Default (the middle setting between Low and High). Users can if they wish change the setting back to a higher quality at any time. Google plans to roll back the settings to users' previous preferences when broadband network traffic eventually eases off.
Many streaming companies have already taken similar precautions, with Disney+, YouTube, Netflix, and Apple TV+ all cutting streaming data bitrates in Europe last month.
Most of these changes began in Europe after the European Union asked companies to temporarily reduce streaming quality to ease the strain on broadband networks. Similar policies have since spread to the United States and other countries.
Apple today announced that, in the next few days, prices of App Store apps and in-app purchases, excluding auto-renewable subscriptions, will be changed in Barbados, Moldova, and Uzbekistan due to new value-added taxes.
Aside from the price changes, Apple says a low value-added tax was also introduced in Malaysia. Prices on the App Store in Malaysia will not change and developer proceeds will be adjusted accordingly.
According to Apple, the Pricing and Availability section of My Apps in App Store Connect will update automatically with the new pricing information once the changes go live.
A court in Florida has dismissed a consumer lawsuit alleging that Apple intentionally "broke" FaceTime on older iPhones as a cost-saving measure (via Bloomberg Law).
In 2017, a similar class-action lawsuit was brought against Apple in California that claimed Apple broke FaceTime in iOS 6 to force users to upgrade to iOS 7. According to the lawsuit, Apple forced users to upgrade so it could avoid payments on a data deal with Akamai.
Apple agreed in February to settle the lawsuit in California, but the federal court in the Florida case ruled on Tuesday that the claims against Apple did not meet timeliness requirements. According to U.S. District Court Judge Raag Singhal, the complainants had several chances to file suit against Apple, but didn't lodge their complaint until August 2019.
Apple used two connection methods when it launched FaceTime in 2010: a peer-to-peer method that created a direct connection between two iPhones, and a relay method that used data servers from content delivery network company Akamai Technologies.
Apple's peer-to-peer FaceTime technology was found to infringe on VirnetX's patents in 2012, however, so the company began to shift toward the relay method, which used Akamai's servers. Within a year, Apple was paying $50 million in fees to Akamai, according to testimony from the VirnetX trial.
Apple eventually solved the problem by creating new peer-to-peer technology that would debut in iOS 7. The class-action lawsuits, however, alleged that Apple created a fake bug that caused a digital certificate to prematurely expire on April 16, 2014, breaking FaceTime on iOS 6.
The lawsuits claimed that breaking FaceTime in iOS 6 allowed Apple to save money because it would no longer need to support users who did not upgrade to iOS 7.
NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock, is launching for free to some Comcast customers tomorrow, reports Reuters.
The service, which has been in the works for quite some time, will see a wide launch in July 2020 with upwards of 7,500 hours of programming that includes NBC shows and Universal movies, but it is launching early for some Comcast customers.
Peacock will feature a library of existing TV shows and movies like "30 Rock" and "Jurassic Park," along with a limited slate of original TV shows. Peacock is also set to include live sports access, curated shorts, breaking news coverage, and more. Providing access to live sports and live news will allow NBC to differentiate the Peacock service from Disney+, Netflix, and Apple TV+.
People who subscribe to Comcast's Xfinity X1 or Flex TV services will be able to access Peacock Premium for free starting Wednesday. The Premium package will include more than 15,000 hours of content.
Peacock Premium will launch for everyone on July 15 and it will cost $5 per month. A free version will also be available in July, but it won't have quite as much content, and there will be an ad-free tier as well that's priced at $10 per month.
Apple has been working on augmented reality features for its iPhones and iPads for some time now, and while there are some AR capabilities built into various apps, Apple could do a lot more to take advantage of the AR features in its devices.
A new concept imagined by Volodymyr Kurbatov and shared on YouTube (via Cult of Mac) features augmented reality functionality added to the Apple Card.
When the Apple Card is viewed with an AR app or an AR headset, it displays quick access Apple Card info such as total balance and recent transactions, all in a handy list. It even imagines a feature that would allow for swiping through information or editing card info via gesture, which isn't really something that AR apps do at this time.
Presumably this functionality would be tied to an individual Apple Card and linked by an identifier on the card itself, but we don't need to worry too much about the security since it doesn't exist yet.
There's no word that Apple is working on a feature such as this, but it is fun to imagine how useful this concept might be to Apple Card holders. Right now, accessing this info requires opening up the Wallet app on an iPhone and tapping into the Apple Card settings, but Apple is developing some kind of augmented reality headset that could come out as soon as next year, so features like this might not be too far off.
Apple released the first Apple Watch in 2015, but prior to when the original model was released, Apple worked on the design for several years. With every new device, Apple makes multiple prototypes, and today, a few Apple Watch prototypes surfaced on the internet.
As highlighted by Vice's Motherboard, prototype collector Giulio Zompetti has shared images of a handful of Apple Watch prototypes that he's collected, all of which look similar to the first Apple Watch that Apple debuted, but with some unique differences in design and sensor placement.
Zompetti said that the Apple Watch prototypes were sourced from e-waste facilities, and while they're all broken, key components are intact and it is possible to repair them. His plan is to fix them and then sell them for thousands.
Some of the Apple Watches have a unique logo that's previously been seen on iPhone prototypes, and there are markings that suggest they are authentic, such as QR codes and serial numbers seen on other Apple prototypes.
Zompetti originally shared the images on Twitter earlier this month, and while no real interesting information can be gleaned from the prototypes, it's always fun to see Apple's early work on popular devices.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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